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Tim O’Brien’s career is maddeningly eclectic. A founding member of Hot Rize, he’s also a notable solo performer, and his songs have been recorded by Nickel Creek, Garth Brooks, and the Dixie Chicks. His recent album, Pompadour, features originals, Woody Guthrie and James Brown songs, and a traditional fiddle tune.

Each of O'Brien's solo albums has a distinctive identity. Many have specific themes, including Red on Blonde, an insightful collection of Bob Dylan compositions, and his Grammy-­‐winning celebration of Appalachian music and its Celtic roots, Fiddler's Green. So it is with Pompadour, or at least most of it. "It's kind of a breakup record," O'Brien says. "I separated from my wife four years ago and got divorced a year after that. So there's a breakup, an assessment and ultimately delight at the end."

Each of O'Brien's solo albums has a distinctive identity. Many have specific themes, including Red on Blonde, an insightful collection of Bob Dylan compositions, and his Grammy winning celebration of Appalachian music and its Celtic roots, Fiddler's Green. So it is with Pompadour, or at least most of it. It's kind of a breakup record, O'Brien says. I separated from my wife four years ago and got divorced a year after that. So there's a breakup, an assessment and ultimately delight at the end.

What separates Pompadour from his previous thematic albums? O'Brien answers by looking back to his first nationally released album. When I did Hard Year Blues, a friend said, 'This is kind of like a Chinese menu; there are so many options here. What's the theme?' It was really eclectic. Now, with Pompadour, I've sort of melded things together, like the flavors in a stew."

Pompadour swirls together bits of bluegrass, deep roots Appalachian music, field hollers, old school rock 'n' roll, traditional jazz and even James Brownian funk.